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24 April 2019
Lower Brule Man Charged for Being Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Lower Brule, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Myron Walters, age 59, was indicted on April 9, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 22, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on January 1, 2016, Walters knowingly possessed and received a firearm after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year.
The charge is merely an accusation and Walters is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley is prosecuting the case.
Walters was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Leakesville Man Sentenced to over 15 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss. – Antonio Hugger, 30, of Leakesville, Mississippi, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to 188 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Between March 9, 2016 and September 22, 2016, Hugger sold methamphetamine to a confidential source on four different occasions. After the final purchase, Hugger was arrested and had the original buy money as well as an additional $2,389 in his possession.
On July 10, 2019, Hugger was charged in a federal criminal indictment. On January 24, 2019, Hugger pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Hugger was held responsible for selling over six ounces of pure methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.
Leaders of Drug Trafficking Organization Plead GuiltyRead the Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Michael Wyatt, 38, of Rochester, New York, and Andre Cunningham, 25, also of Rochester, pleaded guilty, before Chief United States District Court Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 28 grams or more of cocaine base, and heroin, For Wyatt, the charge carries a minimum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and an $8,000,000 fine. For Cunningham, the charge carries a minimum penalty of 5 years imprisonment, a maximum penalty of 40 years imprisonment and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. McGrath, who is handling the case, stated that Wyatt and Cunningham were leaders of a drug trafficking organization that distributed significant quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine base throughout the Rochester, New York area. Wyatt would obtain bulk quantities of those controlled substances from various suppliers. After obtaining bulk quantities of the aforementioned drugs, Wyatt and Cunningham supervised and directed the distribution and sale of those controlled substances to individual drug users, at various drug houses maintained for that purpose in the City of Rochester. The drug houses were operated by members of the conspiracy, including but Wyatt, Cunningham, and others. The locations of the drug houses included 218 Emerson Street, Rochester, New York and 131 Saratoga Avenue, Rochester, New York. At the direction of Wyatt or Cunningham, members of the conspiracy would process, break down, and re-package the controlled substances into smaller quantities to be sold to individual drug users out of 218 Emerson Street and 131 Saratoga Avenue.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd K. Baxter; and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La’Ron D. Singletary.
Sentencing is scheduled before Chief Judge Geraci, Jr., for August 5, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. for Michael Wyatt, and 3 p.m. for Andre Cunningham.
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Leader of Armed Robbery Crew Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal judge has sentenced a Chicago man to 30 years in prison for leading an armed robbery crew that targeted stores on the city’s North and Northwest Sides.
ROBERT L. BERRIOS, 51, committed 24 armed robberies or attempted armed robberies in 2012. His crew mainly struck at cellular telephone stores, often terrorizing store employees by wearing masks and brandishing firearms. In some of the heists, the robbers physically restrained store employees with zip ties. The robberies netted the crew $115,063.60 in cash.
A jury in 2017 convicted Berrios on robbery, firearm, and conspiracy charges. In addition to the 30-year prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly on Tuesday ordered Berrios to pay $115,063.60 in restitution to the victim stores. Judge Kennelly made findings that Berrios was the leader of the robbery crew and that he obstructed justice by committing perjury during his trial.
The sentence was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Jeffrey S. Sallet, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Chicago Police Department provided valuable assistance. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel M. Krull and Georgia Alexakis.
Three other members of the robbery crew were previously sentenced to prison terms. DAVID REVIS, of Chicago, was sentenced to 15 years; JULIO RODRIGUEZ, of Chicago, was sentenced to nine years; and LUIS DIAZ, of Chicago, was sentenced to three years.
Evidence at Berrios’s trial revealed that the crew worked together to gather intelligence about possible targets, including store hours and the number of employees working at a given time. The crew communicated with one another to plan the robberies and procure the necessary tools, including masks, zip ties, firearms, and getaway vehicles.
The jury convicted Berrios of leading the conspiracy to commit all 24 robberies or attempted robberies, and specifically made findings of guilt for nine robberies:
July 1, 2012: Walgreens store, 5935 W. Addison St., Chicago.
July 28, 2012: Currency Exchange, 2753 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago.
Aug. 15, 2012: Currency Exchange, 2814 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.
Sept. 19, 2012: T-Mobile store, 1552 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago.
Sept. 28, 2012: T-Mobile store, 1958 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago.
Oct. 2, 2012: T-Mobile store, 4000 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago.
Oct. 13, 2012: T-Mobile store, 3951 N. Kimball Ave., Chicago.
Oct. 16, 2012: Cricket store, 3200 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago.
Oct. 22, 2012: AT&T store, 3955 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.
L.A. County Public Official and Contractor Who Paid Him Bribes Agree to Plead Guilty to Federal Bribery and Tax ChargesRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A public official in Los Angeles County’s Internal Services Department and the electrical contractor from whom he accepted nearly $300,000 in bribes have both agreed to plead guilty to bribery and tax charges.
In a plea agreement filed this morning, the county official – Mohammad R. Tirmazi, 50, of Alta Loma – agreed to plead guilty to accepting bribes and subscribing to a false 2016 tax return in which he failed to report $192,800 in income, including approximately $137,400 in bribe payments.
In a second plea agreement filed this morning, the contractor – Enrique Contreras, 38, of Palmdale – agreed to plead guilty to paying bribes and subscribing to a false 2015 tax return in which he failed to report $281,422 in income.
According to court documents, from 2014 to 2016, Tirmazi accepted a total of nearly $300,000 in bribe payments from Contreras, the owner of a low voltage electrical wiring company, Tel-Pro Voice & Data, Inc., that performed work for the County. In exchange for the bribes, Tirmazi approved change orders requested by Contreras for, among other things, work that did not occur and materials that were not used on County projects.
Tirmazi also admits in his plea agreement that he did not report, or force Contreras to correct, violations of the County’s Building and Safety Code or the National Electrical Code that Tirmazi uncovered during inspections of Tel-Pro’s work. Some of those violations related to asbestos removal and Tel-Pro’s failure to properly install cables. In his plea agreement, Tirmazi admits that he generally considered Tel-Pro’s work to be “shoddy,” but he overlooked its poor work because of the bribes he received from Contreras.
“Corrupt public officials and powerful people who pay bribes pose a threat to our institutions and, as we see in this case, also can threaten public safety,” said United States Attorney Nick Hanna. “Bringing these criminals to justice will help restore trust in our civic institutions.”
“Public officials who accept bribes abdicate their responsibilities at the expense of the public they’re paid to serve,” said Paul Delacourt, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI is committed to investigating unscrupulous individuals whose criminal behavior erodes trust in our municipal departments.”
Tirmazi formed a company called TEQ Solutions, LLC as a way to conceal bribe payments from Contreras, court filings state. Contreras, who bribed Tirmazi with cash and gifts, also paid Tirmazi with checks made payable to TEQ Solutions that were disguised to look like payment for legitimate services rendered. Because TEQ Solutions did no work for Contreras or Tel-Pro, the checks were nothing more than bribes.
Tirmazi’s plea agreement further states that, to hide his ownership of TEQ Solutions, Tirmazi used a third party to file the business paperwork and open a bank account. To lower TEQ Solutions’ taxable income, and thus keep more of the bribe money he received, Tirmazi issued sham IRS Form 1099s to make it appear as though other individuals had received income from TEQ Solutions for work legitimately performed.
In his plea agreement, Tirmazi admits that he failed to report on his tax returns for years 2014 to 2016 a total of $355,107 of income he received from bribe payments and a side business selling IT equipment.
Contreras, in his plea agreement, admits that he failed to report a total of $636,454 of income he received from 2013 to 2017 as a result of his improper deduction of bribe payments and other personal expenses.
“Investigating contractor fraud schemes is like peeling back the layers of a rotten onion: Each new layer reveals another public official and/or contractor who is profiting from these illicit schemes,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner for IRS Criminal Investigation in Los Angeles. “We must stop this corrupt conduct, which leads to the unfair awarding of lucrative contracts and a clear violation of the federal tax laws.”
As part of their plea agreements, both Tirmazi and Contreras have agreed to cooperate with an ongoing federal investigation.
In his plea agreement, Contreras admits to bribing two County officials—Tirmazi and Thomas J. Shepos, 69, of Palmdale, a public official formerly employed by the County in the Real Estate Division. Shepos pleaded guilty in November 2018 to accepting bribes and is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge R. Gary Klausner on November 18, 2019.
From approximately 2013 to 2016, Contreras made cash payments to Shepos, totaling approximately $200,000 to $300,000, in exchange for Shepos providing non-public County information to Contreras and helping Contreras secure County contracts.
As part of his plea agreement, Shepos also agreed to cooperate with the ongoing federal investigation.
One of the individuals from whom Shepos admitting receiving bribes was real estate developer Arman Gabaee, 58, of Beverly Hills. Gabaee was arrested and subsequently indicted on federal bribery charges last year. His trial is currently scheduled for September 10 before United States District Judge George H. Wu.
Tirmazi and Contreras will be summonsed to appear for arraignments in United States District Court in the coming weeks.
Once they enter their respective guilty pleas, each man will face a statutory maximum sentence of 13 years in federal prison.
The cases against Tirmazi and Contreras are part of an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS Criminal Investigation.
This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ruth C. Pinkel and Lindsey Greer Dotson of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section.
Killeen Husband and Wife Sentenced to 60 Years in Federal Prison on Child Sexual Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
In Waco today, 27-year-old Christopher Almaguer and his wife, 27-year-old Sarah Rashelle Almaguer, of Killeen were each sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for sexually assaulting children and producing child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney John F. Bash, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge William Noonan, Dallas Field Office, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Killeen Police Chief Charles F. Kimble.
In addition to the prison terms, United States District Judge Alan D Albright ordered each defendant to pay $10,000 to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Fund and be placed on supervised release for the remainder of their lives after completing their respective prison terms.
On October 30, 2018, the defendants pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of production of child pornography. By pleading guilty, the Almaguers admitted that in December 2017 they uploaded sexually explicit videos of themselves sexually assaulting children as young as eight months old. According to court records investigators compiled a list of approximately 25 potential minor child victims, ranging in age from infants to fourteen years of age, from the Central Texas area.
“To me this is the most significant case we’ve prosecuted since I became U.S. Attorney,” stated U.S. Attorney Bash. “The Almaguers were serial child abusers. They abused 25 children that we know about—children from the neighborhood, children from church, children they babysat. The youngest victim was an infant. And the nature of the abuse was unimaginable. They also made videos of the children’s torture and shared them. These are two of the most wicked criminals in Texas history.”
“The sentencing in this child exploitation case emphasizes the commitment of the Secret Service to remove predators from our communities,” said William Noonan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Dallas Field Office. “The Secret Service will continue to work closely with our network of law enforcement partners to bring those who commit crimes against children to justice.”
This morning, Judge Albright also sentenced Christopher Almaguer’s brother, 25-year-old Paul Perez, Jr. of Killeen, to 20 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Judge Albright also ordered Perez to pay $10,000 to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Fund. On September 25, 2018, Perez pleaded guilty to two counts of receipt of child pornography. Perez admitted to receiving images and videos from the Almaguers which depicted the sexual abuse of children.
“My office does all it can to protect Texans, and I am proud of the difficult work that my Child Exploitation Unit and the U.S. Department of Justice undertakes in order to keep our children safe from dangerous predators,” Attorney General Paxton said. “The detestable people who perpetuate such horrific crimes against children must be held accountable for their actions.”
The Almaguers and Perez have remained in custody since their arrests by investigators with the Texas Office of Attorney General, Child Exploitation Unit, and special agents with the U.S. Secret Service in February and March 2018, respectively.
This case was investigated by the Texas Office of the Attorney General, Criminal Investigations Division, Child Exploitation Unit; the U.S. Secret Service; Killeen Police Department; and, the Temple Police Department. This investigation was initiated in February 2018 when Facebook.com provided a Cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reporting a user was uploading suspected images and videos depicting child pornography. Without the indispensable assistance of Facebook and NCMEC, this case would not have been brought to the attention of law enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory S. Gloff prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Jury Finds Pennsylvania Biofuel Company Owners Guilty of Tax and False Statements ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – Following a 14-day jury trial in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Ben T. Wootton, of Enola, Pennsylvania, and Race A. Miner, of Buena Vista, Colorado, were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to make false statements to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), six counts of making false statements to the EPA, one count of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and one count of aiding and assisting in the filing of a false claim with the IRS, announced U.S. Attorney David J. Freed for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bossert Clark of the Justice Department’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, EPA Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Susan Bodine, and IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Kelly Jackson. The jury also found the corporation, Keystone Biofuels Inc. (Keystone), guilty of conspiring to make false statements to the EPA and six counts of making false statements to the EPA.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Wootton and Miner co-owned and operated Keystone, originally in Shiremanstown, Pennsylvania, and later in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Keystone purported to be a producer and seller of biodiesel, a type of renewable fuel. From August 2009 through September 2013, Wootton and Miner participated in a conspiracy to fraudulently generate renewable fuel credits, identified by renewable identification numbers (RINs) on Keystone fuel and, through January 2012, to fraudulently claim tax refunds based on the Biodiesel Mixture Tax Credit, a federal excise tax credit for persons or businesses who mix biodiesel with petroleum and use or sell the mixture as a fuel.
“The defendants in this case participated in a criminal scheme that struck directly at the heart of a government program that was created to benefit both honest business owners and the community at large by encouraging the development and use of clean bio-diesel fuel,” said U.S. Attorney David J. Freed. “Instead, the defendants defrauded their fellow citizens to the tune of more than $4 million. Working with our partners, we will not rest in pursuing cases that target our shared financial resources.”
“These defendants are guilty of premeditated fraud, pure and simple,” said Assistant Attorney General Clark. “They directly stole money from the federal fisc and they masqueraded as benefactors of the environment. We are grateful for the cooperation of our partners in the Tax Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office in putting an end to this scheme.”
“Abuse of biodiesel fuel credits harms law abiding renewable fuel producers and the United States government,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman. “The Tax Division along with its partners at United States Attorney’s Offices, ENRD, IRS-CI, and EPA will vigorously prosecute those who fraudulently claim biodiesel fuel credits and violate the criminal law.”
“Today’s guilty verdict is a victory for the American taxpayer,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Kelly Jackson. “IRS Criminal Investigation will pursue anyone who burns the biodiesel industry by enriching themselves through tax credits they are not entitled to.”
“Today’s guilty verdict demonstrates the severe consequences for anyone who tries to make a profit by defrauding the RINS market,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Susan Bodine. “EPA and its federal partners worked together to protect the integrity of the Renewable Fuels Standard program by uncovering and prosecuting the defendants’ criminal activities.”
As part of the conspiracy, Wootton and Miner caused inflated fuel amounts to be reported to the IRS. The inflated fuel numbers supported their fraudulent claims for tax refunds on fuel Keystone was not producing. To account for the inflated fuel amounts, Wootton and Miner created false books and records and engaged in a series of sham financial transactions intended to mirror the false books and records. In addition, Miner doctored fuel samples and test results to fraudulently claim tax refunds and RINs on fuel that did not meet the requisite quality standards to qualify for the tax refunds and RINs. It is estimated that over $10 million was generated from the fraudulent RIN sales, and the total tax loss to the government resulting from the defendants’ conduct is approximately $4,149,983.41.
Wootton and Miner face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison on each conspiracy count, each false statement to the EPA count, and three years in prison on the count of filing a false tax claim with the IRS, as well as periods of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.
U.S. Attorney Freed, Assistant Attorney General Clark, and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman thanked agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and EPA Criminal Investigation Division, who conducted the investigation, and Senior Litigation Counsel Howard P. Stewart of the Justice Department’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division, Trial Attorneys Mark Kotila, Kimberly Ang, and Michael Vasiliadis of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey MacArthur, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lastra, who prosecuted the case.
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Jamesville Man Sentenced to 24 Months for Attempt to Possess EcstasyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Matthew Lagoe, 34, of Jamesville, New York, was sentenced today to serve 24 months in prison, to be flowed by a three-year term of supervised release for attempting to possess with intent to distribute the drug MDMA, also known by its street name ecstasy, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Kevin M. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
As part of his guilty plea in federal court, Lagoe admitted that in March 2017 he went to a U.S. Post Office in Syracuse, New York, attempting to retrieve a package that contained approximately 1000 MDMA tablets that he previously ordered from Germany, intending to distribute them. Unknown to the defendant, the actual pills had been previously seized by law enforcement and replaced with a sham substance. Lagoe was then arrested and charged in federal court.
This case was investigated by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sahar Amandolare and Michael D. Gadarian.
Jackson County Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Possession of a Firearm by a FelonRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss – Ronreco Lashawn Broughton, 38, of Moss Point, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to 120 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Broughton was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
From December 2017 through February 2018, Broughton sold small quantities of drugs, including methamphetamine, Xanax bars and marijuana, along with 8 firearms to the Jackson County Metro Enforcement Team and ATF. Broughton has prior convictions for felony possession of a controlled substance in Pearl River County and felony possession of a controlled substance in Jackson County.
On June 13, 2018, Broughton was charged in a federal indictment, and on January 23, 2019, he pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The Jackson County Metro Enforcement Team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. It case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.
Jackson County Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Pipe BombsRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss – Mark Clayton Bosarge, Jr., 29, of D’Iberville, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms and Transfer Record, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Bosarge was also ordered to pay an $8,000 fine.
On June 13, 2018, Jackson County Deputies responded to a call from a homeowner in a home formerly occupied by Bosarge. The homeowner found explosive powder, pipes and components for pipe bombs. An investigation by the Bureau of ATF confirmed the homemade explosive HMTD, threaded pipe, and end caps for at least 3 pipe bombs, along with improvised detonators and a control box. When assembled, the devices were capable of causing property damage and injury or death to persons nearby. The devices qualify as firearms under federal statute and must be registered to be legitimately possessed. As a felon, Bosarge is not eligible to register or possess any firearm. Bosarge has prior a felony conviction for grand larceny in Harrison County.
The Jackson County MET Team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.
Inland Empire Man Sentenced to More than 6 Years in Federal Prison for Stealing Disaster Relief Funds Intended for Hurricane VictimsRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A San Bernardino County man has been sentenced to 79 months in federal prison for conspiring to defraud the government out of more than $1.3 million in benefits, including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief funds intended for victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017.
Ikponmwosa Eugene Idemudia, 40, of Rancho Cucamonga, was sentenced at a Monday hearing by United States District Judge Percy Anderson, who also ordered him to pay $1,328,982 in restitution. Idemudia pleaded guilty in October 2018 to one felony count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Court documents state that from 2016 until May 2018, Idemudia conspired with others to use stolen identities to apply for fraudulent government benefits, including FEMA disaster assistance funds, Social Security Administration benefits, federal tax refunds, federal unemployment benefits, and Health and Human Services benefits. The FEMA disaster relief money was stolen through the conspiracy occurred in relation to Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, which were presidentially declared major disasters. Once the funds were illicitly obtained, Idemudia and his co-conspirators transferred the benefits to prepaid debit cards, including Green Dot cards that had been registered under false names. Idemudia and his co-conspirators then converted the debit cards to cash.
When law enforcement executed a search warrant at Idemudia’s residence in May 2018, agents found $256,904 in cash and more than $130,000 on prepaid debit cards. A preliminary forensic review of Idemudia’s cell phones showed that he exchanged more than 100 images of prepaid debit cards or gift cards with co-conspirators and the prepaid card numbers were registered with the stolen identities from various victims throughout the United States.
This case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service, and Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General
This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Brown of the Major Frauds Section.
Information for Victims of USA v. Hansmeier, Et Al. Copyright Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
In the case of United States v. Hansmeier, et al., defendants PAUL R. HANSMEIER and JOHN L. STEELE will be sentenced on June 4, 2019, before Judge Joan N. Ericksen in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota. HANSMEIER and STEELE were charged and convicted of orchestrating a multi-million dollar fraud scheme in which they obtained payments from victims to settle sham pornography film copyright infringement lawsuits. At the sentencing hearing, the Court may, but is not required to, order HANSMEIER and STEELE to pay restitution to the victims of their scheme.
If you believe that you are a victim of this scheme, and actually paid money to the entities involved in the case (including, but not limited to, Steele Hansmeier Law, Prenda Law, Alpha Law, Anti-Piracy Group, AF Holdings, Ingenuity 13, Guava LLC, Livewire, LW Systems), please visit https://hansmeier.usaocrimevictims.org/ to obtain information about how to make a claim for restitution in this case. Victim information will not be disclosed to the public.
The case is captioned United States v. Hansmeier, et al., Criminal No. 16-cr-00334 (JNE).
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Indictment: California Woman Had 60+ Pounds of Meth in Her CarRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A California woman was indicted Tuesday on a federal charge of smuggling more than 60 pounds of methamphetamine into Kansas, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.
Maria Alvarez-Buenrostro, 46, Los Angeles, Calif., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The Kansas Highway Patrol stopped Alvarez-Buenrostro for a traffic violation on I-70 near Hays in Ellis County. Troopers found 33 heat-sealed bags of meth hidden in a rear quarter panel and both rear doors of her Ford Explorer.
If convicted, she faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $4 million. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Jassiel Varela-Aniles, 29, Liberal, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by following a felony conviction and one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found January 15, 2019, in Seward County, Kan, after being a fugitive on the run.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the first two counts and up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the last count. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan McCarty is prosecuting.
Marco Antonio Cardenas-Rodriguez, 41, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found July 27, 2018, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting.
Sherri Byerly, 58, Great Bend, Kan., is charged with one count of fraudulently receiving Supplemental Security Income. The crime is alleged to have occurred from 2003 to 2016 in Barton County, Kan.
If convicted, she faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Social Security Administration – OIG investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting.
John O. Green, 52, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of threatening a Social Security Administration employee. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 25, 2018, in Wichita, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to a year in federal prison and a fine up to $3,000. The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster is prosecuting.
David A. Logan, 50, Fort Scott, Kan., a contract driver for the U.S. Postal Service, is charged with stealing mail. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in 2017 and 2018 in Chanute, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Postal Service – OIG investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.
David L. Madden, 37, Alden, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a machine gun. The crime is alleged to have occurred Feb. 22, 2017, in Rice County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.
William Bedell, 57, Wichita, Kan., is charged with fraudulently receiving Social Security benefits. The crime is alleged to have occurred during 2014 through 2017 in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Social Security Administration – OIG investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting.
Jose Luis Rios-Hernandez, 24, of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin. The crime is alleged to have occurred Feb. 27, 2019, in Thomas County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than five years and a fine up to $5 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.
Uriel Ramirez-Chairez, 34, a citizen of Mexico who has been living in Wichita, is charged with one count of misusing a Social Security number, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Nov. 13, 2018, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
Misuse of a Social Security number: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.
Aggravated identity theft: A mandatory two years (consecutive) and a fine up to $250,000.
Aggravated illegal re-entry: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting.
Pablo Constantino-Zavala, 49, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found Dec. 24, 2014, in Sedgwick County, Kan.
If convicted, he faces up to two years and a fine up to $250,000. Homeland Security Investigations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting.
Richard Todd Heffelman, 44, is charged with escaping from federal custody at Mirror, Inc. Halfway House in Wichita. The crime is alleged to have occurred Feb. 3, 2019.
If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
Illegal alien from Mexico sentenced for possessing revolver, shotgunRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that Jose Daniel Molina, 36, of Veracruz, Mexico, was sentenced to 12 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter for illegally possessing a revolver and a shotgun.
Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of shots being fired on December 2, 2018, near a residence in Duson, Louisiana, and found Molina’s vehicle parked at the intersection of Dwayne Road and Tunica Lane. Upon further investigation, the officers saw a Mossberg 20-gauge shotgun which was in plain view in the backseat of the car, and a Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver with three live rounds and three empty casings on the ground about 10 feet from the driver’s side window of Molina’s car. Molina was later taken into custody and told Homeland Security agents that he was in possession of the two firearms and had illegally entered the country in 2000. Molina pleaded guilty to the federal charge on January 29, 2019.
Homeland Security Investigations, ATF and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Ayo prosecuted the case.
Hattiesburg Man Sentenced to 20 years in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Hattiesburg, Miss – Miguel McCallum, 43, of Hattiesburg, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to serve 240 months in federal prison, followed by ten years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). McCallum was also ordered to pay a $25,000 fine.
During the course of a narcotics investigation, DEA agents learned that McCallum was responsible for methamphetamine distribution in the Hattiesburg area. On May 9, 2018, DEA agents executed a search warrant at McCallum’s residence in Hattiesburg. During the execution of the search warrant, 3 firearms and approximately 3 pounds of marijuana were found. A second search led to the discovery of 142.8 grams of methamphetamine inside a jacket hanging in the front closet of the home.
McCallum pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on December 13, 2018.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole.
Harrisonville Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Harrisonville, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Robert J. Keegan, 27, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to 18 years in federal prison without parole.
On Dec. 28, 2018, Keegan pleaded guilty to participating in a drug-trafficking conspiracy and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Keegan is among five defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case. Co-defendants Benjamin W. Clark, 27, Jalie J. Brinlee, 29, and Felicia C. Ward, 23, all of Cameron; and Frank E. Hundley, 34, of Kansas City, Mo.; have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.
All five of the defendants admitted they participated in a conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine from January to May 24, 2017. Clark and Brinlee purchased methamphetamine from various suppliers and distributed it to customers in Cameron, Kansas City and elsewhere.
On May 12, 2017, Keegan was stopped by law enforcement and was found in possession of a Hi-point .40-caliber handgun and a duffel bag containing approximately 3.8 kilograms of methamphetamine.
On May 24, 2017, a trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped Ward, who was carrying a Glock 9mm handgun in her purse. Ward had retrieved the handgun from the vehicle where Clark and Brinlee were located, and Brinlee admitted to possessing the firearm prior to transferring it to Ward. Also found in Ward's purse was approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine, which Brinlee also admitted to possessing at the time of the traffic stop.
Under the terms of their plea agreements, subject to acceptance by the court, Clark and Brinlee each will be sentenced to 18 years in federal prison without parole. Under federal statutes, Ward and Hundley each are subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Edwards. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Belton, Mo., Police Department, the Independence, Mo., Police Department and the Jackson County Drug Task Force.
Gulfport Man Sentenced to over Three Years in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Gulfport, Miss – Walter Bryant Williams, 29, of Gulfport, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to 41 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Williams was also ordered to pay a fine of $1500 fine.
On April 18, 2018, Williams, a previously convicted felon, was in possession of a firearm and narcotics during a traffic stop by Gulfport Police. Williams has prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance in Harrison County and felony attempted burglary in Jackson County.
The Gulfport Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.
Guatemalan National Living in Massachusetts Sentenced to 26 Months in Prison for Trafficking HeroinRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MAYCOL CAMPOS, 37, a citizen of Guatemala last residing in Attleboro, Massachusetts, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 26 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised, release, for trafficking heroin.
According to court documents and statements made in court, this matter stems from an investigation that began after several heroin overdoses in southeastern Connecticut, including two overdose deaths involving a heroin and fentanyl mix that occurred in January 2016. The investigation, which included court-authorized wiretaps and controlled purchases of narcotics, revealed that Campos regularly acquired and distributed heroin. On one occasion, Campos provided an associate, Mario Recinos, with approximately 50 grams of heroin that Recinos, in turn, gave to Michael Luciano of New London. Luciano, who also received heroin from other suppliers, distributed the drug through a network of street-level dealers in southeastern Connecticut.
Campos has been detained since his arrest on November 14, 2017. On that date, investigators executed 12 federal search warrants and seized more than three kilograms of heroin from members of the conspiracy.
On December 12, 2017, a grand jury in Hartford returned a 25-count superseding indictment charging Campos, Luciano, Recinos and 18 other individuals with various heroin trafficking offenses.
On November 7, 2018, Campos pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.
Campos faces immigration proceedings when he is released from prison.
On June 27, 2018, Luciano pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. On January 29, 2019, he was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment.
On November 9, 2018, Recinos, a citizen of Guatemala last residing in Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. On April 9, 2019, he was sentenced to 42 months of imprisonment. He also faces immigration proceedings at the conclusion of his sentence.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations, Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force East and the New London, Norwich, Waterford, Attleboro (Mass.) and Freetown (Mass.) Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Geoffrey M. Stone.
Grant County man admits to firearms chargeRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Cody Swick, of Petersburg, West Virginia, has admitted to a firearms charge, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Swick, age 33, pled guilty to one count of “Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.” Swick, having been previously convicted of domestic battery, admitted to having a .22 caliber revolver in October 2018 in Grant County.
Swick faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Project Safe Neighborhoods is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Danae DeMasi-Lemon is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Grant County Sheriff’s Department investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Grand Jury Returns IndictmentsRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. -- A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Wisconsin Rapids Man Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of Firearms
Michael Westfahl, 37, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, is charged with three counts of being a felon in possession of firearms. The indictment alleges that on November 17, 2018, he possessed a .45 caliber handgun; that on December 1, 2018, he possessed a .308 rifle; and that on December 21, 2018, he possessed a loaded .223 rifle, a loaded .40 caliber handgun, and a loaded. 38 caliber handgun.
If convicted, Westfahl faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each charge. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Wood County Sheriff’s Department, Stevens Point Police Department, Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Adams County District Attorney’s Office and Portage County District Attorney’s Office assisted in this case. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan.
This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime. The PSN approach emphasizes coordination between state and federal prosecutors and all levels of law enforcement to address gun crime, especially felons illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and violent and drug crimes that involve the use of firearms.
Man Charged with Robbing Madison Bank
Albert Singer, 23, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with bank robbery. The indictment alleges that he robbed the Chase Bank on East Towne Boulevard in Madison on August 11, 2018.
If convicted, Singer faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan.
Janesville Man Charged with Receiving Child Pornography
Brian J. Garbe, 44, Janesville, Wisconsin, is charged with three counts of receiving child pornography. The indictment alleges that on February 27, March 3, and October 18, 2016, he downloaded videos from the internet containing visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
If convicted, Garbe faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum penalty of 40 years in federal prison on each count. The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; and Janesville Police Department. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman.
Inmate Charged with Possessing Weapon
Francisco Rivera, 27, an inmate of the Federal Correctional Institution at Oxford, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing a prohibited object. The indictment alleges that on December 17, 2018, he possessed a weapon described as a metal needle with plastic wrapped around the end that measured approximately five and three-quarters inches in length.
If convicted, Rivera faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Four Florida Men Charged with Wire Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON - Four Florida men were charged in a complaint partially unsealed today in federal court in Boston in connection with the fraudulent abuse of the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) Informed Delivery electronic notification system.
Lucson Appolon, 26, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Kevens Louis, 26, of Plantation, Fla., were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Two charged co-conspirators remain at-large. Appolon and Louis were arrested on April 16, 2019, and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
Informed Delivery is a free electronic notification service provided by the USPS that gives residential and P.O. Box customers the ability to digitally preview their incoming mail and manage their packages.
According to the complaint partially unsealed today, the defendants accessed victims’ personal identifying information, including names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and addresses on the “dark web” and then used the information to open credit cards in the victims’ names. The defendants then subscribed to Informed Delivery using the victims’ personal identifying information and a fraudulent email address created to track the delivery of credit cards to the victims’ residential mailboxes. The defendants subsequently intercepted the credit cards at the victims’ mailboxes before the victims could receive them and used those credit cards at ATMs and to purchase gift cards and other items for resale at Apple and Walmart, among other retail establishments. The defendants traveled to states across the East Coast in furtherance of the fraud, including New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. The complaint further alleges that the defendants engaged in dozens of fraudulent transactions between August 2018 and January 2019, with an estimated exposure of over 1.2 million.
The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office; Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; the Concord, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.), Harvard, Kittery (Maine), Norfolk, Plantation (Fla.), Sherborn, and Weston Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of Lelling’s Cybercrime Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Founder and CEO of Fresno Substance Abuse Treatment Center Arraigned Today for Defrauding Health Insurance CarriersRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an eight-count indictment on April 11 against Orlando Gillam, 45, of Fresno, charging him with mail fraud for a scheme that defrauded insurance carriers, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
According to court documents, Gillam is the founder and CEO of Dunamis Inc. Group Home, a nonprofit that provided services that included alcohol and drug treatment and counseling. Between January 2016 and January 2018, Gillam falsely billed insurers hundreds of thousands of dollars for alcohol and drug treatment and counseling, mental health treatment, and group and individual psychotherapy purportedly rendered to multiple individuals. Those individuals did not receive the services billed, and several were not Dunamis clients.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vincente A. Tennerelli is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Gillam faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Fort Dodge Man Sentenced to Prison for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced April 15, 2019, to 15 years in federal prison.
Craig Eugene Essing, 59, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 26, 2018, guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Essing and others in the conspiracy distributed over 100 pounds of methamphetamine in the Fort Dodge, area from June 2015 through September 2017. Essing obtained methamphetamine from sources in Des Moines, Iowa for redistribution in the Fort Dodge area. During a search warrant at Essing’s residence on September 8, 2017, law enforcement seized indicia of drug distribution, including approximately fourteen ounces of methamphetamine, eleven firearms, including a SKS rifle, numerous rounds of ammunition, $4,911, three digital scales, packaging material, and other drug paraphernalia.
Essing was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Essing was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Essing is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, DCI Criminalistic Laboratory, Iowa State Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Fort Dodge Police Department and the Central Iowa Drug Task Force.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 17-3047. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
Former contract security guard at ATF facility admits to stealing firearmsRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Christopher Lee Yates, a former contract security guard at a U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) facility, has admitted to stealing firearms from the government, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Yates, age 52, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, pled guilty to one count of “Possession of Stolen Firearm” and one count of “Theft of Government Property.” Yates admitted to possessing stolen firearms in Berkeley County in February 2019. Yates also admitted to stealing firearms, firearms parts, and ammunition valuing more than $1,000 from the ATF’s National Disposal Branch in Martinsburg, West Virginia.Yates faces up to 10 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Finucane is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Anyone with information regarding the location of these firearms, firearms parts, ammunition and/or persons who unknowingly purchased one or more of these items should contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS, email [email protected]; through its website at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips; or through the ReportIt ® app, www.reportit.com, available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Former VA pharmacist indicted for stealing pharmaceutical drugs from patients’ prescriptionsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a grand jury indicted Melissa W. Richardson, 43, of Shreveport, on 20 counts of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud.
According to the indictment, Richardson, who worked for Veterans Affairs in Shreveport as a pharmacist, stole various quantities of Hydrocodone, Tylenol/Codeine, Diazepam and Morphine on June 9, 2017 from prescriptions meant for patients.
If convicted, Richardson faces a maximum term of four years imprisonment, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine for each count.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Former State Department Employee Pleads Guilty to Conspiring with Foreign AgentsRead the Press Release
Candace Marie Claiborne, a former employee of the U.S. Department of State, pleaded guilty today to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States, by lying to law enforcement and background investigators, and hiding her extensive contacts with, and gifts from, agents of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), in exchange for providing them with internal documents from the U.S. State Department.
The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu of the District of Columbia, Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara of the FBI’s Washington Field Office and Deputy Assistant Secretary Ricardo Colón, Domestic Operations, U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service.
The plea took place before the Honorable Randolph D. Moss of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
“Candace Marie Claiborne traded her integrity and non-public information of the United States government in exchange for cash and other gifts from foreign agents she knew worked for the Chinese intelligence service,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers. “She withheld information and lied repeatedly about these contacts. Violations of the public’s trust are an affront to our citizens and to all those who honor their oaths. With this guilty plea we are one step closer to imposing justice for these dishonorable criminal acts.”
“Candace Claiborne broke the public trust when she accepted gifts and money from foreign officials, and then lied about it to State Department background investigators,” said U.S. Attorney Liu. “The United States will continue to seek to hold accountable those who abuse their positions of trust.”
“Candace Claiborne was entrusted with Top Secret information when she purposefully misled federal investigators about her repeated interactions with foreign contacts which violated her oath of office as a State Department employee,” said Assistant Director McNamara. “The FBI will continue to investigate individuals who fail to report foreign contacts, which is a key indicator of potential insider threats posed by those in positions of public trust.”
“Our close working relationship with the FBI and the Department of Justice resulted in the conviction of Candace Claiborne who violated the public trust and damaged our national security,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary Colón. “Diplomatic Security will continue working with our law enforcement partners to vigorously defend the interests and security of the United States of America.”
According to the plea documents, Claiborne, 63, began working as an Office Management Specialist for the Department of State in 1999. She served overseas at a number of posts, including embassies and consulates in Baghdad, Iraq, Khartoum, Sudan, and Beijing and Shanghai, China. As a condition of her employment, Claiborne maintained a TOP SECRET security clearance. Claiborne also was required to report any contacts with persons suspected of affiliation with a foreign intelligence agency as well as any gifts she received from foreign sources over a certain amount.
Despite such a requirement, Claiborne failed to report repeated contacts with two agents of the People’s Republic of China Intelligence Service, even though these agents provided tens of thousands of dollars in gifts and benefits to Claiborne and her family over five years. The gifts and benefits included cash wired to Claiborne’s USAA account, Chinese New Year’s gifts, international travel and vacations, tuition at a Chinese fashion school, a fully furnished apartment, a monthly stipend and numerous cash payments. Some of these gifts and benefits were provided directly to Claiborne, while others were provided to a close family member of Claiborne’s.
In exchange for these gifts and benefits, as stated in the plea documents, Claiborne provided copies of internal documents from the State Department on topics ranging from U.S. economic strategies to visits by dignitaries between the two countries.
Claiborne noted in her journal that she could “Generate 20k in 1 year” working with one of the PRC agents. That same agent at one point tasked her with providing internal U.S. Government analyses on a U.S.-Sino Strategic Economic Dialogue that had just concluded.
Claiborne, who confided to a co-conspirator that the PRC agents were “spies,” willfully misled State Department background investigators and FBI investigators about her contacts with those agents, the plea documents state. After the State Department and FBI investigators contacted her, Claiborne also instructed her co-conspirators to delete evidence connecting her to the PRC agents. She was arrested on March 28, 2017, following a law enforcement investigation.
Judge Moss scheduled sentencing for July 9, 2019. Claiborne, of Washington, D.C., was ordered detained pending sentencing, but will self-surrender for said detention on June 5, 2019. The statutory maximum penalty for a person convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States is five years in prison. The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes. The sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court after considering the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office is leading the investigation into this matter. The case was prosecuted by Thomas A. Gillice and investigated by John L. Hill, both Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and Deputy Chief Julie A. Edelstein and Trial Attorney Evan N. Turgeon of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
Former State Department Employee Pleads Guilty to Conspiring with Foreign AgentsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Candace Marie Claiborne, a former employee of the U.S. Department of State, pleaded guilty today to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States, by lying to law enforcement and background investigators, and hiding her extensive contacts with, and gifts from, agents of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), in exchange for providing them with internal documents from the U.S. State Department.
The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu of the District of Columbia, Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara of the FBI’s Washington Field Office and Deputy Assistant Secretary Ricardo Colón, Domestic Operations, U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service.
The plea took place before the Honorable Randolph D. Moss of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
“Candace Marie Claiborne traded her integrity and non-public information of the United States government in exchange for cash and other gifts from foreign agents she knew worked for the Chinese intelligence service,” said Assistant Attorney General Demers. “She withheld information and lied repeatedly about these contacts. Violations of the public’s trust are an affront to our citizens and to all those who honor their oaths. With this guilty plea we are one step closer to imposing justice for these dishonorable criminal acts.”
“Candace Claiborne broke the public trust when she accepted gifts and money from foreign officials, and then lied about it to State Department background investigators,” said U.S. Attorney Liu. “The United States will continue to seek to hold accountable those who abuse their positions of trust.”
“Candace Claiborne was entrusted with Top Secret information when she purposefully misled federal investigators about her repeated interactions with foreign contacts which violated her oath of office as a State Department employee,” said Assistant Director McNamara. “The FBI will continue to investigate individuals who fail to report foreign contacts, which is a key indicator of potential insider threats posed by those in positions of public trust.”
“Our close working relationship with the FBI and the Department of Justice resulted in the conviction of Candace Claiborne who violated the public trust and damaged our national security,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary Colón. “Diplomatic Security will continue working with our law enforcement partners to vigorously defend the interests and security of the United States of America.”
According to the plea documents, Claiborne, 63, began working as an Office Management Specialist for the Department of State in 1999. She served overseas at a number of posts, including embassies and consulates in Baghdad, Iraq, Khartoum, Sudan, and Beijing and Shanghai, China. As a condition of her employment, Claiborne maintained a TOP SECRET security clearance. Claiborne also was required to report any contacts with persons suspected of affiliation with a foreign intelligence agency as well as any gifts she received from foreign sources over a certain amount.
Despite such a requirement, Claiborne failed to report repeated contacts with two agents of the People’s Republic of China Intelligence Service, even though these agents provided tens of thousands of dollars in gifts and benefits to Claiborne and her family over five years. The gifts and benefits included cash wired to Claiborne’s USAA account, Chinese New Year’s gifts, international travel and vacations, tuition at a Chinese fashion school, a fully furnished apartment, a monthly stipend and numerous cash payments. Some of these gifts and benefits were provided directly to Claiborne, while others were provided to a close family member of Claiborne’s.
In exchange for these gifts and benefits, as stated in the plea documents, Claiborne provided copies of internal documents from the State Department on topics ranging from U.S. economic strategies to visits by dignitaries between the two countries.
Claiborne noted in her journal that she could “Generate 20k in 1 year” working with one of the PRC agents. That same agent at one point tasked her with providing internal U.S. Government analyses on a U.S.-Sino Strategic Economic Dialogue that had just concluded.
Claiborne, who confided to a co-conspirator that the PRC agents were “spies,” willfully misled State Department background investigators and FBI investigators about her contacts with those agents, the plea documents state. After the State Department and FBI investigators contacted her, Claiborne also instructed her co-conspirators to delete evidence connecting her to the PRC agents. She was arrested on March 28, 2017, following a law enforcement investigation.
Judge Moss scheduled sentencing for July 9, 2019. Claiborne, of Washington, D.C., was ordered detained pending sentencing, but will self-surrender for said detention on June 5, 2019. The statutory maximum penalty for a person convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States is five years in prison. The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes. The sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court after considering the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office is leading the investigation into this matter. The case was prosecuted by Thomas A. Gillice and investigated by John L. Hill, both Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and Deputy Chief Julie A. Edelstein and Trial Attorney Evan N. Turgeon of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
Former Reading Mayor Sentenced in Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Williams announced that former Mayor of Reading, Vaughn Spencer, 71, of Reading, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 96 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a $35,000 fine by the Honorable Juan R. Sanchez, Chief Judge, United States District Court.
Spencer was the Mayor of Reading from January 2012 until January 2016. He was convicted by a jury on August 31, 2018 on eleven counts of bribery solicitation and related offenses, stemming from a conspiracy to solicit campaign contributions from specific vendors for the May 2015 democratic primary in exchange for lucrative municipal engineering contracts. T&M Associates and McTish Kunkle & Associates were among the engineering firms that engaged in this pay-to-play scheme.
Spencer, his Special Assistant, Eron Lloyd, and his campaign manager, Michael Fleck, also conspired to pay an $1,800 bribe to Reading School Board President Rebecca Acosta, who was running for district justice at the time, in exchange for her help and her husband, City Council President Francisco Acosta, in persuading Reading City Council to repeal a local ordinance that set an annual limit on individual campaign contributions to persons running for city office. Spencer pursued this because he was hoping to maximize his campaign contributions, and keep contributions he had already received well in excess of the limit.
Francisco Acosta pled guilty and was sentenced to, and has already served, 24 months in prison, and Rebecca Acosta pled guilty and is currently serving an 18-month sentence of incarceration. Lloyd pled guilty and was sentenced to 5 years’ probation with the first 6 months on house arrest, and Mark Neisser of T&M pled guilty and was sentenced to 5 years’ probation with the first 12 months on house arrest and a $25,000 fine. Fleck and Matthew McTish are scheduled to be sentenced on April 26, 2019.
“Spencer was so concerned with keeping his job, and the money to run a re-election campaign, that he forgot to do his job on behalf of the citizens of Reading,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Williams. “He used the position that voters had entrusted to him for his personal benefit. Our office is committed to uncovering and prosecuting public corruption, so officials should be on notice: if you abuse the powers of your office, the federal government is coming for you.”
“While mayor of Reading, Vaughan Spencer repeatedly sold off city contracts in an effort to cling to office,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division. “Instead of working honestly on behalf of his constituents, he embraced these corrupt relationships and transactions for his own selfish benefit. The FBI is determined to root out the kickback culture seen all too frequently in this country's halls of power.”
“Spencer’s conscious decision to deceive and benefit personally at the expense of the citizens of Reading has cost him his liberty,” said Guy Ficco, IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge. “Let his sentence serve as a stark reminder that if you commit a crime, status as a political leader will not protect you from federal prosecution.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle L. Morgan and Anthony J. Wzorek.
Former Linn County Attorney Pleads Guilty to Thefts of Public PropertyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – The former Linn County Attorney pleaded guilty today to federal charges of stealing 350 to 500 items including electronics and equipment that belonged to the county, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today. The estimated value of the items is $75,000.
John Sutherland, 68, Mound City, who served as county attorney for approximately 20 years before leaving the job in January 2017, is charged with one count of mail fraud and one count of lying to federal investigators. The crimes are alleged to have taken place from sometime prior to January 2009 and continuing until Sutherland left office.
In his plea, Sutherland admitted that on Feb. 6, 2019, FBI agents found 13 items stolen from Linn County when they searched Sutherland’s office at the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office. At the time, Sutherland was working as an Assistant District Attorney. One of the items was a stolen Apple laptop computer.
When FBI agents interviewed him, Sutherland denied any wrongdoing and made other false statements. For instance, he claimed that an Apple TV 64 GB video-streaming device the county purchased for about $220 had been destroyed. FBI agents found the device intact at Sutherland’s residence. They also found that Sutherland had given some of the stolen items to his adult children.
In his plea agreement, Sutherland agreed to pay full restitution and to surrender his license to practice law. Sentencing is set for July 18. The mail fraud count carries a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The false statement count carries a penalty of up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.
McAllister commended the FBI, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt and Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Oakley for their work on the case.
Former Employee of Connecticut College Sentenced to Prison for Embezzlement SchemesRead the Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL KMEC, 40, of Marlborough, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 18 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for operating various embezzling schemes while employed at Connecticut College in New London.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Kmec began working at Connecticut College in 2006. In 2014, Kmec was promoted to Director of Auxiliary Services of the college. In that position, he oversaw the print shop, bookstore, vending machines, transportation, laundry services and residence halls. He also oversaw the Camel Card program, which is an identification and debit card used at the college. As part of his responsibilities, Kmec oversaw approval of various third-party reimbursements for services to the college.
Beginning in approximately 2014 and ending when he was terminated by Connecticut College in April 2018, Kmec defrauded the college through various embezzlement schemes, including receiving funds from the college through fraudulent billing schemes, diverting checks to the college to a bank account he controlled, diverting money from the Camel Card program to bank accounts he controlled, and misappropriating a college laptop. He also fraudulently deposited more than 80 reimbursement checks that a contractor for the college had issued to Connecticut College students into a bank account he controlled.
Through these schemes, Kmec stole $173,010.
On November 14, 2018, Kmec pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New London Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherry.
Former Deputy Chief of Staff in N.J. Governor’s Office Sentenced to 13 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A member of then-Gov. Christopher J. Christie’s senior staff was sentenced today to 13 months in prison for her role in a scheme to punish the mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey, by misusing Port Authority resources to cause traffic problems in the borough, Attorney for the United States Mark Coyne announced.
Bridget Anne Kelly, 46, former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Christie, and co-defendant William E. Baroni, 47, formerly the deputy executive director of the Port Authority, were each convicted on Nov. 4, 2016, following a six-week trial before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton on all seven counts with which they had been charged. Judge Wigenton imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.
Kelly and Baroni were each convicted of conspiring to misuse, and actually misusing, property of an organization receiving federal benefits; conspiring to commit, and actually committing, wire fraud; conspiring to injure and oppress certain individuals’ civil rights, and acting under color of law to deprive certain individuals of their civil rights. Kelly was originally sentenced to 18 months in prison and Baroni was originally sentenced to 24 months in prison.
The defendants both appealed their convictions. In a unanimous, precedential opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit on Nov. 27, 2018, affirmed five of seven convictions for each defendant, upholding all but the civil rights counts of conviction and remanding the case to Judge Wigenton for resentencing. Baroni was resentenced Feb. 26, 2019, to 18 months in prison.
All of the charges relate to the defendants’ scheme to manufacture traffic problems in Fort Lee by, without public warning, reducing from three to one the number of local access lanes, located in Fort Lee, to the upper level of the George Washington Bridge, and the toll booths servicing those lanes. This was done to punish Mayor Mark Sokolich for not endorsing Gov. Christie’s re-election bid.
A third conspirator, David Wildstein, the former director of Interstate Capital Projects at the Port Authority, pleaded guilty May 1, 2015, to a separate information charging him with two counts of conspiracy for his role in the scheme. Wildstein pleaded guilty to conspiring to misuse the property of an organization receiving federal benefits and conspiring to injure and oppress certain individuals’ civil rights in connection with his role in causing traffic problems to punish Mayor Sokolich. Wildstein was sentenced July 12, 2017, to three years of probation.
According to documents filed in this case, statements made in court and the evidence at trial:
In August 2013, after Kelly confirmed that Mayor Sokolich would not be endorsing Gov. Christie for re-election in November 2013, Baroni, Kelly, and Wildstein decided to punish the mayor by deliberately causing significant traffic problems in Fort Lee under the false pretense of a traffic study.
From the morning of Sept. 9, 2013, to Sept. 13, 2013, they caused the local access lanes to be reduced so that only one toll booth, instead of the usual three, was accessible to the approach to the bridge for local traffic traveling through Fort Lee. To maximize the congestion and the punitive impact on Mayor Sokolich, Baroni, Kelly and Wildstein caused these lane and toll booth reductions to start on the first day of the school year without any advance notice to Mayor Sokolich, the Fort Lee chief of police or borough residents. The lane and toll booth reductions resulted in significant traffic in Fort Lee, for motorists intending to access the George Washington Bridge from local lanes and for residents, whose streets were choked with traffic.
The conspirators agreed to disregard any inquiries from Mayor Sokolich and other Fort Lee officials about the lane and toll booth reductions. They purposely ignored communications from Mayor Sokolich, including his pleas for help, requests for information, and repeated warnings about the increased risks to public safety. On Sept. 9, 2013, after Baroni received an email that Mayor Sokolich had called about an urgent matter of public safety, Wildstein sent an email to Baroni reiterating that Baroni should maintain “radio silence” toward the mayor. On Sept. 10, 2013, Kelly sent Wildstein a text message stating: “I feel badly about the kids … I guess,” to which Wildstein replied, “They are the children of Buono voters …” a reference to Christie’s opponent in the gubernatorial election, state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex).
When Kelly was made aware of Mayor Sokolich’s communication regarding an urgent matter of public safety, she thanked Wildstein for confirming that Baroni had maintained “[r]adio silence” toward Mayor Sokolich. On Sept. 12, 2013, Baroni instructed a Port Authority employee through coded language that the employee should not contact Mayor Sokolich.
The three conspirators concocted and promoted a sham story that the lane reductions were for a traffic study. They created and advanced this cover story so they could use Port Authority property, including the time and services of unwitting Port Authority personnel and other resources, to implement the lane and toll booth reductions and conceal their true punitive purpose.
On Nov. 25, 2013, with Kelly’s and Wildstein’s knowledge, Baroni provided false and misleading testimony about the lane and toll booth reductions to the N.J. Assembly Transportation, Public Works, and Independent Authorities Committee.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Wigenton sentenced Kelly to one year of supervised release, fined her $2,800 and ordered her to pay restitution of $14,314.
Attorney for the United States Coyne credited criminal investigators of the Port Authority, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Inspector General Michael Nestor; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie; and criminal investigators of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, for the investigation leading to today’s sentencing.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lee M. Cortes Jr., Vikas Khanna, David W. Feder and Senior Litigation Counsel J Fortier Imbert of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Division.
Former Department of Corrections Nurse Sentenced for Smuggling Drugs into Correctional FacilityRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former MCI-Cedar Junction nurse was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with smuggling drugs into the facility.
Christine Ramos, 38, of Walpole, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to two years of probation and ordered to pay a fine of $2,000. In July 2018, Ramos was charged by Information with conspiracy to distribute Suboxone and Alprazolam.
According to the court documents, Ramos was involved in a romantic relationship with Chad Connors, an inmate at MCI-Cedar Junction in South Walpole. At Connors’ request, Ramos agreed to smuggle contraband, including controlled substances, into MCI-CJ. In order to do this, Ramos opened two Post Office Boxes through third parties. Connors sent letters and money to Ramos at these P.O. Boxes. Connors’ co-defendant, William Guillemette, directed his wife, Lisa, and mother, Margaret, to obtain and send Suboxone and Alprazolam to the P.O. Boxes. Ramos subsequently smuggled the drugs into the facility and delivered them to Connors. William Guillemette and, allegedly, Connors, distributed the drugs to other inmates, who sent checks to Lisa and Margaret Guillemette as payment for the drugs.
According to court documents, Suboxone and Alprazolam are Schedule III and Schedule IV controlled substances, respectively.
William Guillemette and Margaret Guillemette previously pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and Joseph W. Cronin, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia Carris of Lelling’s Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Captain of the Rosebud Tribal Police Pleads Not Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Mission, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for 22 counts of Wire Fraud.
Calvin Waln, Jr., a/k/a “Hawkeye” Waln, age 41, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 30 years in federal prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine, as well as 5 years of supervised release. Restitution may also be ordered.
The charges relate to Waln knowingly writing insufficient funds checks from two financial accounts which he knew had been either depleted of funds or closed prior to writing the checks.
The charges are merely accusations and Waln is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Sazama is prosecuting the case.
Waln was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has been set for May 28, 2019.
Federal Jury Finds Sacramento Loan Officers Guilty in Mortgage Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Tuesday, after a six-day trial, a federal jury found Jaime Mayorga, 40, and Ruben Rodriguez, 42, both of Sacramento, guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
U.S. Attorney Scott stated: “Mayorga and Rodriguez took advantage of members of the Latino community who hoped to become homeowners and manipulated the real estate process for personal gain. As so often occurs in these cases, the result was losses to the financial institutions and neighborhoods burdened with foreclosed properties. We are grateful for the diligence and professionalism of the FBI in investigating this case.”
On July 14, 2011, Mayorga, Rodriguez, and five others were charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The defendants, including Mayorga and Rodriguez, worked for Delta Homes & Lending, a Sacramento-based real estate and mortgage lending company that falsified home loan applications to obtain mortgage loans for borrowers, many of whom did not and could not qualify for a loan without the lies submitted by Delta employees. Mayorga and Rodriguez were real estate agents and loan officers. The now defunct Delta Homes was founded by co-defendant Moctezuma “Mo” Tovar, 49, of Sacramento.
According to court documents, Delta opened one office in 2003 and eventually had multiple offices in Sacramento, with additional branch offices in Woodland, Yuba City, and Southern California. Rodriguez and Mayorga both started working at the original Delta office on Enterprise Drive in Sacramento. Later, they both moved to a branch on Franklin Boulevard, and Rodriguez went on to work at other Delta branches, including a large branch office located on Howe Avenue.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Delta targeted the Latino community with advertisements in Spanish that heralded the company’s ability to obtain home loans for borrowers who otherwise would not qualify for a mortgage. In addition to advertisements in which Delta claimed to be “Hispanics Serving Hispanics,” Delta employees solicited clients at flea markets and by going door-to-door through the community.
In order to obtain mortgages, the defendants falsified information on loan applications regarding the clients’ income, occupation, and personal savings. Straw buyers were sometimes used when the true borrower did not have a sufficient credit score to qualify. The defendants also deposited money into borrowers’ bank accounts to meet the lenders’ requirement that the borrower have money on hand, taking the money back after acquiring the verification of deposited funds that the lenders also required.
The evidence at trial showed that the defendants’ fraud was also personally lucrative. During the investigation, Rodriguez estimated that in 2006 alone, he earned more than $400,000. Similarly, Mayorga told agents that although he earned a salary when he started at Delta, he shifted to commission-based compensation and then earned between 50 and 85 % of the brokerage fees. Mayorga stated that he earned more than $500,000 in 2005.
The aggregate sale price of the homes involved in the conspiracy was in excess of $10 million, and as a result of the conspiracy, mortgage lenders and others suffered losses of at least $4 million.
Co-defendants Tovar, Manuel Herrera, 39, of Davis; Sandra Hermosillo, 57, of Woodland; and Jun Michael Dirain, 46, of Antelope, all pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Christian Parada-Renteria, 43, of Woodland, pleaded guilty to two counts of concealing felonies related to the wire fraud conspiracy.
Rodriguez and Mayorga are scheduled to be sentenced on August 6 by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez. The court has not yet set a sentencing date for Tovar, Herrera, Hermosillo, and Dirain. Parada-Renteria was sentenced to serve one year in prison.
Each of the defendants faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian A. Fogerty and Justin L. Lee are prosecuting the case.
Elizabeth Man Facing Drug and Gun Charges in Project Safe Neighborhoods CaseRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH –A resident of Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal firearms and narcotics laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
The two-count Indictment, returned yesterday, named William Johnson, 34, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about June 13, 2018, Johnson, being a convicted felon, illegally possessed a Ruger, Model P94, 40 Auto caliber pistol, one magazine containing 10 cartridges of Hornady 40 S&W caliber ammunition, and an SKS, 7.62x39mm caliber rifle. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year to possess a firearm or ammunition. Additionally, on or about June 13, 2018, Johnson possessed with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, and heroin, a Schedule I controlled substance; and a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, in the form commonly known as crack, and methamphetamine, each a Schedule II controlled substance.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years to a maximum of life in prison, a fine not to exceed $5,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Robert C. Schupansky is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General – Allegheny County Drug Task Force and the City of Clairton Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Eastern District of Pennsylvania Hosts Roundtable Addressing Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder and the Americans with Disabilities ActRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA, PA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced that the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division hosted a roundtable today for community organizations, treatment centers, and healthcare providers in order to foster discussion about the nationwide opioid crisis. More specifically, the roundtable focused on the protections afforded by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for individuals using medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as a means to combat their opioid addiction and promote long-term recovery.
Today’s roundtable was part of the Department of Justice’s initiative to remove discriminatory barriers to MAT and to educate local stakeholders about how anti-discrimination laws protect people with opioid use and other substance use disorders. Representatives of dozens of local healthcare groups attended the roundtable event. U.S. Attorney McSwain invited these representatives because they often work with individuals who are addicted to opioids and using MAT as part of their treatment.
U.S. Attorney McSwain, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero, the Civil Rights Coordinator for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Charlotte Lanvers, an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C., presented to the group and addressed ways in which the ADA can protect individuals from discrimination arising from their use of MAT.
“Locally and nationally, opioid addiction and illegal distribution of opioids continue to be at alarming levels. My Office is committed to stopping criminals from flooding our streets with these deadly drugs, as well as enforcing the ADA’s anti-discrimination protections against those who are lawfully using MAT as part of their addiction recovery plan,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “These two goals are compatible and, in fact, help to reinforce each other.”
People who believe they are being discriminated against with regard to their use of MAT should file complaints with DOJ at https://www.ada.gov/filing_complaint.htm. Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may also file a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250, Philadelphia, PA 19106, ATTN: Jacqueline C. Romero, Civil Rights Coordinator.
Eagle Butte Woman Charged with Embezzlement and LarcenyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Embezzlement and Theft from a Tribal Organization and Larceny.
Teri Pretty Weasel, age 35, was indicted on March 12, 2019. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 18, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 5 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on or about between the 27th day of February, 2015, and the 13th day of March, 2015, Pretty Weasel, being an employee of an Indian tribal organization, that is, the cashier of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Bingo Operations, embezzled and converted to her own use over $1,000 of the moneys, funds, and credits belonging to the Bingo Operations.
The charges are merely accusations and Pretty Weasel is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Pretty Weasel was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
The case was brought pursuant to the Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities. The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities.
Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, participating federal agencies in the Guardians Project include: the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Postal Inspector Service; and the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.
For additional information about the Guardians Project, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (605) 330-4400. To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number.
Eagle Butte Man Charged with Failure to RegisterRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Vine Janis, age 38, was indicted on March 12, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 19, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that between July 6 and July 17, 2017; April 1 through June 18, 2018; and September 1 through October 19, 2018, Janis failed to register and update his registration under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
The charge is merely an accusation and Janis is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is prosecuting the case.
Janis was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Eagle Butte Man Charged with Burglary and LarcenyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Third-Degree Burglary and Larceny.
Michael Charlton, age 18, was indicted on April 9, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 16, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is 5 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on January 29, 2019, Charlton unlawfully entered and took an amount more than $1,000 in United States currency from the Suds-N-Snacks building in Eagle Butte.
The charge is merely an accusation and Charlton is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Charlton was released pending trial. A trial date has been set for June 18, 2019.
Durant Woman Pleads Guilty to Tribal TheftRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Nichole Marie Schell Loper, age 43, of Durant, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to Embezzlement And Theft From Indian Tribal Organizations, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1163, punishable by not more than 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, or both.
The Indictment alleges that from in or about January 2016, to in or about June 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did steal, embezzle and knowingly and willfully convert to her own use monies in excess of $1,000.00 which had been entrusted to her custody and care as an employee of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, an Indian tribal organization.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police.
The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
Assistant United States Attorney Sarah McAmis represented the United States.
Dover Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
CONCORD – James Aubin, 46, of Dover, pleaded guilty in federal court on April 23, 2019, to committing a bank robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 12, 2018, Aubin entered the Bank of New Hampshire branch on Central Avenue in Dover and demanded money from the teller. The teller gave Aubin a quantity of United States currency. After images from bank surveillance videos were shown on local news outlets, investigators were able to positively identify Aubin as the robber. After being arrested, Aubin admitted to robbing the bank.
Aubin is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31, 2019.
“Bank robberies are violent crimes that can inflict fear and endanger bank employees, patrons, and the public,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “As part of our effort to combat violent crime, we will work closely with our law enforcement partners to prosecute those who are responsible for bank robberies in the Granite State.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Dover Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.
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District Men Sentenced to 10-Year Prison Terms for Armed Robberies Targeting Commercial EstablishmentsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jarvell Kent, 21, and Olona Roba, 20, of Washington, D.C., have been sentenced to 10-year prison terms on federal charges stemming from their involvement in a total of four armed robberies that were committed in three quadrants of the District of Columbia.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu, Nancy McNamara, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Kent and Roba pled guilty in January 2019, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, to one count of using, carrying, possessing, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and two counts of interference with interstate commerce by robbery, for four separate incidents. They were sentenced on April 23, 2019, by the Honorable Randolph D. Moss. Following their prison terms, they will be placed on five years of supervised release.
The government’s evidence established that Kent and Roba robbed two 7-Eleven convenience stores at gunpoint, while wearing masks. During both armed robberies, one of the weapons used was a large black sub‑machine gun style firearm with an extended magazine. The first robbery took place on May 5, 2017, at approximately 11:40 p.m., at a store in the 3200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue SE. The second was on May 11, 2017, at approximately 1 a.m., at a store in the 4400 block of Benning Road NE.
In addition to the armed robberies that the defendants jointly committed, each defendant admitted involvement in additional armed robberies. Kent pled guilty to a May 15, 2017, armed robbery of another 7-Eleven located in the 900 block of 17th Street NW, and Roba pled guilty to a March 4, 2017, armed robbery of a carryout driver in the 5800 block of Southern Avenue SE, a crime in which shots were fired at the carryout driver as he fled from the scene.
Kent and Roba were arrested in May 2017 and have been in custody ever since.
In announcing the sentences, U.S. Attorney Liu, Assistant Director in Charge McNamara, and Chief Newsham commended the work of the FBI Agents and MPD officers who linked together investigations that spanned three quadrants of the District of Columbia and arrested Kent and Roba. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany Keil, Laura Crane, and William Schurmann, with assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kerkhoff, Paralegal Specialists Rommel Pachoca and Antoinette Sakamsa, and Legal Assistant Peter Gaboton.
DEA and Partners to Hold National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 27Read the Press Release
MIAMI – With robust public participation over the course of 16 prior events, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative continues to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes where they are vulnerable to misuse, theft, or abuse by family members and visitors; including children and teens. In continuation of this effort DEA, along with their national, tribal, and community partners will hold the 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day across the country on Saturday, April 27th. The drug take back service is free and anonymous for the public.
Now in its ninth year, DEA has collected nearly 11 million pounds (more than 5,400 tons) of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications through its Take Back Day events. This weekend, approximately 6,000 collection sites manned by nearly 5,000 law enforcement partner agencies will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. The public can find a nearby collection site at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 800-882-9539. (DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharp material.)
"Addiction causes a tremendous amount of pain and suffering, not just for those addicted to drugs but also for their family members and friends," said Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. "Helping people keep their loved ones safe by disposing of unwanted, unused, and expired prescription medications is just one of many ways that DEA is working to break the cycle of addiction and overdose deaths plaguing this country."
“Keeping our homes free of harmful prescription medication, when no longer needed, is a way of keeping everyone safe.” said Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Miami Field Division. “We strongly encourage the public to do your part by discarding your expired, unused, and unwanted medications at any of the 200+ sites throughout Florida.”
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States continue to be alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these medicines. The majority of prescription drug abusers have often reported receiving their drugs from friends, family, and the home medicine cabinet. Take Back Day serves as a unique opportunity for Americans to secure their medicine cabinets from theft and abuse.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has received enthusiastic public support since its inception in 2010. Last October, the public surrendered 457 tons (914,236 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA, and nearly 4,800 sites manned by local and tribal partners.
DEA and Partners Hold National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 27Read the Press Release
DETROIT – With robust public participation over the course of 16 prior events, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative continues to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they are vulnerable to misuse, theft or abuse by family members and visitors, including children and teens. In continuation of this effort, DEA and its national, tribal and community partners will hold the 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day across the country on Saturday, April 27. The service is free and anonymous.
Now in its ninth year, DEA has collected a total of nearly 11 million pounds (more than 5,400 tons) of expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications through its Take Back Day events. This weekend, approximately 6,000 collection sites manned by nearly 5,000 partner law enforcement agencies will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. The public can find a nearby collection site at www.DEATakeBack.com or by calling 800-882-9539. (DEA cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps.)
"The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is committed to working with all of our partners to stem the tide of drug abuse and addiction across the nation," said Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon. "The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is one way that we can all make a difference in our community by safely disposing of unwanted medication. This unwanted medicine often ends up in the wrong hands. While it might seem insignificant, safely disposing of unwanted prescription drugs can truly save lives."
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States continue to be alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The majority of prescription drug abusers say they get their drugs free from friends and family, including from the home medicine cabinet. Take Back Day is a unique opportunity for Americans to protect their homes and medicine cabinets from theft and abuse.
National Take Back Day has received enthusiastic public support since its inception in 2010. Last October, the public turned in 457 tons (914,236 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,800 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,800 of its local and tribal partners.
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DEA Prepares for Prescription Drug Takeback DayRead the Press Release
U.S. Attorney Peter E. Deegan, Jr. joins the Drug Enforcement Administration in announcing that on April 27th, DEA will hold its 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The biannual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at thousands of collection sites around the country, including over 50 here in the Northern District of Iowa. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
“The DEA’s National Takeback Initiative has been very successful and offers an anonymous and free opportunity to get rid of dangerous and unwanted prescription pills,” U.S. Attorney Deegan stated. “Prescription drug abuse can and does lead to heroin and other opioid abuse. Heroin and opioids are extremely dangerous drugs and have caused overdose deaths here in our own communities. Takeback Day is a day our community can come together to fight the opioid and heroin epidemic by ensuring that unneeded prescription drugs are destroyed.”
Last October Americans turned in 457 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 6,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 16 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 11 million pounds—more than 5,400 tons—of pills. The disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches.
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Some painkiller abusers move on to heroin: Four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers.
Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards. This initiative addresses the public safety and public health issues that surround medications languishing in home cabinets, becoming highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.
For more information or to locate a collection site near you, go the DEA web site at https://takebackday.dea.gov/#collection-locator where you can search by zip code, city, or state.
Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.
DEA Prepares for Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin will join the DEA on April 27th for its 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The biannual event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs and will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at thousands of collection sites around the country, including law enforcements agencies within the Middle District of Louisiana:
ASCENSION PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE, 828 South Irma Boulevard, Gonzales, LA 70737
BAKER POLICE DEPARTMENT, 1320 Alabama St, Baker, LA 70714
BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, 9000 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70815
EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE, EBRSO Traffic Office, 9313 Burbank Dr, Baton Rouge, LA 70820
PLAQUEMINE POLICE DEPARTMENT, 23540 Railroad Ave, Plaquemine, LA 70764
ST. HELENA PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE, 53 N. 2nd Street, Greensburg, LA 70441
WALKER POLICE DEPARTMENT, 828 South Irma Boulevard, Gonzales, LA 70737
WEST FELICIANA PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE, FRED'S PHARMACY, 7130 US-61, St Francisville, LA 70775
U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “Despite our best intentions, our medicine cabinets can quickly become overstocked and, in some situations, can provide a pathway to addiction. This program provides ordinary citizens an excellent opportunity to anonymously and properly dispose of unwanted prescription drugs with no questions asked. Every effort to prevent drugs from being used illegally is another step toward winning the battle against addiction and abuse.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Brad Byerley said, “Prescription drug abuse has become the nation’s fastest growing drug epidemic. Last year, more Americans died from opioid overdoses than from all other drugs combined, including meth, cocaine and hallucinogens. Unfortunately, these prescription drugs are most often obtained from friends and family, who leave them in home medicine cabinets. DEA’s Take-Back initiative provides citizens an easy and safe way to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs. Please do your part to keep prescription drugs off the streets and help spread awareness in your community.”
Last October Americans turned in 457 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 6,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 16 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 11 million pounds—more than 5,400 tons—of pills. The disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. (The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches.)
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Some painkiller abusers move on to heroin: Four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers.
Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards. This initiative addresses the public safety and public health issues that surround medications languishing in home cabinets, becoming highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.
For more information or to locate a collection site near you, go the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day web site at https://takebackday.dea.gov/#collection-locator where you can search by zip code, city, or state.
DEA Prepares for Prescription Drug Take Back DayRead the Press Release
St. Louis - The United States Attorney’s Office is proud to support the DEA on Saturday, April 27, 2019, for its 17th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The bi-annual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at thousands of collection sites around the country. Over 90 locations will be open and participating within the Eastern District of Missouri. The event is an effort to rid homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs.
In support of the effort, U.S. Attorney Jensen noted:
“The death toll from prescription painkillers has tripled in the past decade. We know all too well that the problem is getting worse. Over 16,000 people die every year from prescription painkiller overdoses—that’s more than the number of overdoses from heroin, cocaine or any other illegal drug. Adolescents and young adults are especially vulnerable. Many teens that begin abusing prescription drugs turn to heroin for a cheaper high. Saturday’s prescription drug take back is an invaluable opportunity for everyone in our community to prevent prescription drugs from getting into the wrong hands, including the hands of kids. We hope everyone takes advantage of it, with no questions asked, and we thank DEA for spearheading this effort.”
Last October, Americans turned in 457 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 6,000 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 16 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 11 million pounds—more than 5,400 tons—of pills. The disposal service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. (The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps, only pills or patches.)
Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Some painkiller abusers move on to heroin: Four out of five new heroin users started with painkillers.
Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards. This initiative addresses the public safety and public health issues that surround medications languishing in home cabinets, becoming highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse.
For more information or to locate a collection site near you, go the DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day web site at https://takebackday.dea.gov/#collection-locator where you can search by zip code, city or state.
Chalmette Woman Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Stealing over Two Million from Her EmployerRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that JENNIFER GUILLOT (GUILLOT), age 40, of Chalmette, Louisiana was sentenced to serve 30 months in Federal Prison and two (2) years supervised release on April 17, 2019. She was charged by a Bill of Information for Bank Larceny, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(b).
According to the Bill of Information, GUILLOTT began working at a local business, located in the Eastern District of Louisiana, in 1996 as a secretary/bookkeeper. Sometime after she started working there, GUILLOT and her husband began having financial difficulties. GUILLOT, through three separate and distinct schemes stole money from the accounts of the victim in the custody of Hibernia National Bank, now Capital One Bank. The accounts of Hibernia National Bank were then insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (F.D.I.C.), thus creating federal jurisdiction.
GUILLOT defrauded the company in the first scheme by writing company checks to herself without the permission of the victim. The loss to the victim through GUILLOT’s first scheme was $563,927.26.
GUILLOT stole money in a second scheme by writing company checks to her credit card companies for personal expenses without the company’s permission. The loss to the victim through this scheme was $866,077.10.
GUILLOT stole money in a third scheme by logging on to the victim company’s Automated Clearinghouse Account (ACH) electronically and without the victim company’s permission and then paying her personal credit bills. The loss to the victim through this scheme was $640,668.85.
When bank statements would arrive in the mail, GUILLOT would “white out” any entities which showed she stole money. She made copies of the altered statements. She would shred the originals and cancelled checks. GUILLOT would further conceal her schemes by falsely showing payments made to herself to appear as payments to vendors of the victim.
The grand total of GUILLOT’s schemes is $2,070,673.21, however, she was ordered to pay $1,561,968.19 restitution because of money recovered from her through civil lawsuits brought by the victim.
Per the statutory sentence, GUILLOT faced a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a mandatory $100 special assessment, as well as restitution to the victim.
U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Carter K. D. Guice, Jr., Assistant U.S. Attorney.
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Berkeley County man admits to fentanyl chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Herman Terrell Govan, of Inwood, West Virginia, has admitted to selling fentanyl, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Govan, age 35, pled guilty to one count of “Distribution of Fentanyl.” Govan admitted to selling fentanyl in January 2018 in Berkeley County.
Govan faces up to 20 years incarceration and a $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
This case is the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep. This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Helman is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.
Berkeley County man admits to drug chargeRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Joshua A. Miller, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, has admitted to his involvement in a heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine distribution operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.
Miller, age 28, pled guilty to one count of “Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine Hydrochloride, and Cocaine Base.” Miller admitted to working with others to distribute heroin, fentanyl and cocaine from May 2018 to January 2019 in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties and elsewhere.
Miller faces up to 20 years incarceration and a $1,000,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
This case is the result of investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep. This initiative seeks to reduce the supply of synthetic opioids in “hot spot” areas previously identified by the Attorney General of the United States, thereby reducing drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths, and identify wholesale distribution networks and sources of supply operating nationally and internationally.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Lydia Lehman, also with the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S Attorney Timothy D. Helman, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department investigated.
The investigation was funded by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble presided.